Grader blade setting device



c'. VlVlER GRADER BLADE SETTING DEVICE June 12,1962

Filed Aug. 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 12, 1962 c. VlVlER GRADER BLADE SETTING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 2, 1960 June 12, 1962 c. VlVlER 3,038,268

GRADER BLADE SETTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 12, 1962 c, v v 3,038,268

GRADER- BLADE SETTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.4.

June 12, 1962 c. VlVlER 3,038,268 GRADER BLADE SETTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 2, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,038,268 GRADER BLADE SETTING DEVICE Claude Vivier, Paris, France, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Richier, S.A., Paris, France Filed Aug. 2, 1960, Ser. No. 46,976 Claims priority, application France Aug. 5, 1959 4 Claims. (Cl. 37-156) 'The present invention relates to machinery for public works and more particularly to improvements in graders with a view to increase their efiiciency and range of possibilities, and simplify their operation,

In all graders of the many types proposed up to now the assembly of means for positioning and setting the blade consist broadly to two blade lift members and one blade shift member, which are responsive to mechanical or hydraulic control means.

In the case of mechanical controls the three members are independent of one another, but the extent through which each of them can be moved makes it necessary, for efiecting all the works for which a grader is usually employed, to connect them with the blade carrier through rods of which the length must be changed by the operator at the expenses of a considerable and frequent loss of time; besides, with this conventional arrangement the operator cannot set the blade in all the desired positions without leaving his seat.

In the case of hydraulic controls the same inconveniences may be observed, whether the control motion is obtained by using rotary hydraulic motors, or by using hydraulic cylinders, when the rods of these cylinders are not pivoted directly on the blade carrier.

In the case of a hydraulic control system using cylinders pivoted directly on the blade carrier the angular movements of the assembly should in most cases be limited by the use of mechanical stop buffers or safety members of which the operation is always more or less reliable on public work machinery.

If these safety devices are to be dispensed with it is no more possible to contemplate variable positions for the points of attachment of the hydraulic cylinders in relation to the frame of the grader and this type of simplified mounting makes it impossible to set the blade in any desired position.

Moreover, in order to provide certain particularly useful blade positions there are frequently provided systems opera-Lively connecting completely or partially either the two lift systems and the shift system, or simply two of them. As a rule, even these connections are not sufiicient for dispensing with the use of safety devices. Moreover, the adjustment of the blade during the formation of banks requires in most cases from the operator a simultaneous actuation of one of the lift members, on the one hand, and of the shift member, on the other hand.

It is the essential object of the device of this invention to permit without limitation all the blade settings necessary for the proper operation of a grader by using hydraulic control means in the form of cylinders mounted on three systems independent of one another, without necessitating the use either of additional safety members limiting the movements of these members, or of power or drive means except the hydraulic cylinders themselves, the locking devices therefor being controlled on the same levers as those actuating the distributors of the hydraulic cylinders.

This grader blade setting device is characterized in that each of the aforesaid rods is actuated by means of a hydraulic cylinder in a manner adjustable by means of a locking pin resiliently urged to its position of engagement in one of a row of holes forming a circular are on a connecting quadrant.

With the three systems independent of one another and arranged in the manner broadly set forth hereinabove for operatively connecting the blade carrier with the frame of the grader, it is possible to have the blade settings perfectly adapted to all kinds of works for which the grader may be employed on the site.

Each one of the three blade setting motions, that is, the two lift motions and the shift motion, is performed by the operator by means of a single control lever of which the handle controlling the distribution of compressed fluid in one or the opposite direction to the corresponding cylinder, is provided with a trigger for controlling by means of compressed air the release of the locking pin when it is desired to change its position on the connecting quadrant and therefore to position this pin into another hole of the quadrant.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel arrangement and combination of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective diagrammatic view showing for an observer looking towards the front of the grader the essential structure of the device.

FIGURES 2 and 3 are views from the rear wherein, for the sake of clarity, some members have been removed, these figures showing two different positions of the control assembly which correspond to two different mountings respectively.

FIGURE 4 shows one form of embodiment of each hydraulic and pneumatic control lever whereby the operator may actuate single-handed, for each of the three systems, the hydraulic cylinder and its locking device; and

FIGURE 5 illustrates in a manner similar to FIG. 1 a positioning device according to this invention with a modified arrangement for controlling the blade lift motion.

FIGURE 6 illustrates on a larger scale a detail of the arrangement of FIG. 1.

The blade A of the grader, as well as its mechanisms or members for rotating, shifting and adjusting the cutting angle of the blade is supported by a beam B for example of T-shape, which in the construction described herein supports the blade circle provided in all types of graders and consisting in general of a circular member designated schematically by the letter U in the drawings, although this specific shape is not the only possible one. This beam B is pivoted at the front end of the frame by means of a universal or ball-and-socket joint R and comprises two groups of universal or ball-and-socket joints R1R2 and R3-R4 disposed symmetrically on either side of the longitudinal axis (1-1) of the beam B. The ball-andsocket or universal joints R1, R2. and R are so disposed that their centres are located on a common axis (22). The other joints R3, R4: and R are also so disposed that their centres lie on the same axis (3-3). Besides, this arrangement derives logically from the condition of symmetry'of joints R1--RZ in relation to joints R3-R4.

The joints R2 and R4 are s c-called lift joints and both are normally used for operating the device.

Of the two universal joints Rl-R3, only one is actually necessary for operating the device, but the provision of two universal joints on each side affords two different mountings of the connecting bar (consisting of two relatively sliding members C and M) which may be pivoted at will either on joint R1 or on joint R3, to permit the accomplishment of special works if necessary. This bar has a preferred position permitting for example the most 3 current works to be performed on the right-hand side when looking at FIG. 2. Each lift device comprises a hydraulic cylinder D pivoted by means of a universal joint F on the movable arm E. The rods of cylinders D are pivoted on the ball-and-socket joints R2 and R4 of beam B. The movable arms E are rotatable about axes XX' and Y-Y respectively, these axes being parallel with each other and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the grader. They are locked against motion by means of locking pins G extending through quadrants H rigid with the main frame of the grader and formed with a number of holes corresponding to the different desired angular settings of the movable arms E. As shown in FIG. 6, which is a section taken on a larger scale along the axis of pin G at right angles to the arm E, this pin G carries a piston 20 slidably mounted in a cylinder 21 and urged by a spring 22 to its locking position shown in the figure so as to engage one hole of quadrant H. By delivering compressed air through a line 23 the piston 20 can be moved against the resistance of spring 22 to release the pin G from the hole of quadrant H. The supply of compressed air to the two lines 23 is controlled directly from the drivers seat by means of control triggers mounted on the levers controlling the distributors of the hydraulic cylinders D of the two lift devices. With this arrangement it is possible for the operator of the grader to control single-handed from his seat on the one hand one of the hydraulic cylinders D and on the other hand the locking pin G, so as to move one of the movable arms E about its axis of rotation by using the action of the relevant hydraulic cylinder D, while acting upon the locking pin which may be held in a retracted or quadrant-releasing position. After the working these pins G are normally urged to their locking position by the springs 22 so as to avoid any loss of time when locking the movable arms E on the quadrants H.

A sliding rod I located in the transverse plane of movement of the two movable arms B may also limit the angular excursion of these arms to avoid any faulty operation and notably compel the aperator to actuate at certain moments a movable arm E before the other so as to avoid any loss of time during the control movements.

The operations consisting in actuating the cylinders D or the movable arms E by operating the cylinders D and retracting the pin G may be performed simultaneously or independently on each lift device without resorting to any permanent or releasable mechanical connection between the two systems. This possibility of simultaneous or separate operation is also applicable, according to the present invention, to the shifting device to be described presently.

FIG. shows a modified embodiment of the arrangement for controlling the blade lift movements, the essential object of this arrangement being to limit the vertical over-all dimensions of the grader according to FIG. 1, due to the relatively long lift cylinders disposed in a substantially vertical position during the levelling works.

In this arrangement the two large-diameter hydraulic lift cylinders D providing a relatively short stroke are trunnioned in bearings formed in a pair of flanges of U- shaped brackets W rigidly mounted on the main frame of the grader. The rods of these hydraulic cylinders extend transversely to the grader and oppositely to each other, and each rod is pivoted on a quadrant H mounted for loose rotation about a shaft Z parallel with the trunnions of the relevant cylinder, each shaft being journalled in bearings carried by the main frame of the grader. These shafts Z are rigid with arms E E disposed at a proper relative angular setting, that is, an arm E having mounted thereon a pneumatic locking device G and another arm E controlling the lift movements of the blade carrier through the medium of a sliding rod V. The first arm E provided with the pneumatic locking device G is adapted to engage one of the holes formed in the quadrant H according to the type of work to be performed. With this complete arrangement it is possible to move the arm E through an angle of and more by using a cylinder D effecting only a very short stroke which, to keep the driving efforts within reasonable limits, moves the quadrant H only through angles of the order of 45. The sliding rods V may be of variable length and provided with locking pins controlled mechanically, pneumatically or otherwise. The function of these locking pins is not essential and they may even be dispensed with. However, they are provided for operating special blades in out-of-common positions.

This arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 5 consists essentially in providing an indirect mounting of the lift cylinders which, while afiording a substantial reduction in the vertical dimension of the grader, makes it possible to dispose these lift cylinders at locations safely spaced from any moving members. Therefore, it constitutes a substantial improvement over the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 wherein the lift cylinders are in a substantially vertical position.

The shift device, both in the form shown in FIG. 1 and in that shown in FIG. 5, consists of a shaft J located in a plane parallel or not with the longitudinal axis of the grader and carried by two bearings K and K The front end of this shaft J is provided with a lever L carrying a ball-and-socket or universal joint R5. The ball-andsocket or universal joints R5 and R1, or R5 and R3 are interconnected by a rod M in which a number of holes are formed, this rod M sliding in a socket C provided with a transverse pin N for locking the joints R5 and R1 or R5 and R3 at the desired relative spacing. The shape of this socket C is such as to permit the mounting of the rod M so that the latter be longer than the distance R1 to R5 or R3 to R5. It is not compulsory to control this pin N from the operators seat as in the case of the pins G of the lift mechanisms, but it would not constitute a departure from the present invention to provide a similar pneumatic control device for actuating the pin N. Thus, notably, the corresponding control movement may be obtained by actuating the lever controlling the distributor of the hydraulic shift cylinder, as will be explained presently. However, as the modification of the length of rod M with respect to C is not frequently required on a grader provided with the system described herein by way of example, the pneumatic actuation of the pin N is not absolutely necessary in this arrangement.

At its rear end the shaft J has mounted in axial alignment therewith a free-rotating cranked lever 0 adapted to receive on the one hand a trunnion connecting it with the body of a shift hydraulic cylinder P and on the other hand a pin Q pushed by a spring in one of the holes formed in a quadrant S rigid with the shaft J. This pin Q is similar to the pins G of the lift devices and may likewise be released by pneumatic means from the operators seat by means of a trigger controlling the admission of pressured air in the conduit 24 and mounted on the hand lever controlling the distributor of cylinder P. The quadrant S has a number of holes such that the maximum amplitude of the angular displacement of lever L be consistent with the general setting of the grader on the site to be levelled or otherwise worked upon.

This amplitude should be about 180 and the movements between extreme positions are controlled by means of several successive operations of the cylinder P which correspond to successive locking engagements of the pin Q in the different holes of quadrant S. The end of the rod of cylinder P is pivoted on a pin T rigid with the main frame of the grader.

If desired, the hydraulic cylinder may be mounted the opposite way, so that its body be pivoted on a pin n'gid with the frame, but this arrangement is less advantageous for it increases the transverse over-all dimensions of the assembly. The same would apply on the other hand to an arrangement comprising a cylinder P having its rod provided with a rack meshing with a pinion mounted on the shaft I. However, this last-mentioned arrangement would still remain within the spirit of the present invention.

The shaft rotation may also be controlled if desired by means of a hydraulic motor energizing a plurality of cylinders fed through adequate distributors having their slide valves responsive to a cam according to a system already known in mechanisms for rotating the blade supporting circle of graders and scrapers. This specific arrangement is advantageous in that it eliminates the quadrant S and the locking pin Q. Nevertheless, in this arrangement some locking means must necessarily be provided in order to cope with accidental overpressures or overloads likely to occur in the component elements of the hydraulic motor as a consequence of fierce reactions during the operation of the vehicle.

Each one of the three universal joints R2R4 and R5 may be controlled by means of a device of the type illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the reference numeral 1-1 designates the cylinder-controlling hydraulic distributor, 12 being the pneumatic distributor for controlling the locking pin G or Q. The hand lever 13 controlling the cylinder by pivoting in the direction of the arrow 7'' carries on its outer or upper end a knob or handle 14 and has pivoted thereon, in the vicinity of this knob or handle and by means of a pin 15, a trigger 16 adapted, through link members 17, 18 and 19, to control the release of the locking pin G or Q when the trigger in is pulled in the direction of the knob or handle 14, as shown by the arrow g.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the invention and appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. For a grader comprising a main frame and a blade, a device for controlling the orientation of the blade, which comprises a beam on which the blade is adjustably secured, a ball type universal joint carried by the main frame, said beam being pivotally mounted in the ball type universal joint carried by the main frame, three double acting hydraulic cylinders for actuating respectively and independently two lift motions and a shift motion of said beam, each of said three hydraulic cylinders comprising a body and a rod, three ball-type universal joints carried by the beam, three adjustable connecting means to respectively and independently connect each hydraulic cylinder between the frame and each ball-type universal joint carried by the beam, three locking means resiliently urged to their locked condition for securing respectively each of said adjustable connecting means in an adjusted position, three pneumatic means to release respectively each of said locking means for change of the locked adjusted position, three hydraulic means to control relative movement of the body and the rod respectively in each hydraulic cylinder and three control levers to control with a single hand respectively for each hydraulic cylinder, both the corresponding pneumatic means and hydraulic means.

2. Device for controlling the orientation of the blade mounted on the frame of a grader as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connecting means for adjustably connecting each cylinder actuating one of the two lift motions of the beam comprises a quadrant formed with perforations and secured on the frame, an arm pivotally mounted on said quadrant and a fork-type universal joint carried by said arm, the body of said cylinder being mounted in said fork type universal joint and the rod of said cylinder being mounted in one of the two lift ball type universal joints carried by said beam, the locking means resiliently urged to their locked condition for securing said connecting means in an adjusted position comprising a pin slidably mounted in said arm and resiliently urged for engagement in one of the quadrant holes, the pneumatic means for releasing said locking means with a view to change the adjusted position being arranged to remove said pin from the quadrant.

3. Device for controlling the orientation of the blade mounted on the frame of a grader as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connecting means for adjustably connecting each cylinder actuating one of the two lift motions of the beam comprises trunnions rigidly carried by the body of said cylinder, two flanges with bearings formed therein carried by the frame, said cylinder body being pivotally mounted on said flanges by engaging its trunnions in said bearings, a perforated quadrant pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to be actuated by the rod of said cylinder, a shaft mounted for free rotation on said frame coaxially to said pivoting quadrant, a radial arm carried by said sh ft, a ball type universal joint carried by said radial arm and a rod pivotally mounted between said radial arm universal joint and one of the two lift ball type universal joints carried by said beam, the locking means resiliently urgedto their locked condition for securing said connecting means in an adjusted position comprising another radial arm carried by said shaft and a pin slidably mounted in said other arm and resiliently urged for engagement in one of the quadrant perforations, the pneumatic means for releasing said locking means with a View to change the adjusted position being arranged to remove said pin from said quadrant.

4. Device for controlling the orientation of the blade mounted on the frame of a grader as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connecting means for adjustably connecting the cylinder actuating the shift motion of the beam comprises a pin mounted on said frame and having the cylinder rod pivotally mounted thereon, a' shaft pivotally mounted on the frame and parallel with said pin, two radial parallel arms rigidly carried by said shaft, and having bearings formed therein, two trunnions carried by the cylinder body pivotally mounted in turn between said two arms by the engagement of said trunnions in said bearings, another shaft rotatably mounted in said frame coaxially to the first shaft, a perforated quadrant rigidly carried by said other shaft and engaging one of the two radial arms of the first shaft so as to be driven thereby, a radial arm rigid with other shaft, a ball type universal joint carried by said radial arm rigid with said other shaft and a rod pivotally mounted between said ball type universal joint carried by said radial arm rigid with said other shaft and the shift ball type universal joint carried by the beam, the locking means resiliently urged to their locked condition for securing said connecting means in an adjusted position comprising a pin slidably mounted in the radial arm of the first shaft and resiliently urged for engagement in one of the quadrant perforations, and the pneumatic means for releasing said locking means with a view to change the adjusted position being arranged to remove said pin away from said quadrant.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,154,439 Scholfield et al. Sept. 21, 1915 2,247,007 Arndt June 24, 1941 2,497,778 Lado Feb. 14, 1950 2,577,340 Macdonald Dec. 4, 1951 2,655,743 Ross Oct. 20, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 148,026 Australia Sept. 3, 1952 1,237,058 France June 13, 1960 

